Nags Head voters reject funding for beach nourishment

NAGS HEAD, N.C. (AP) — Voters in Nags Head have said "no" to spending money on a beach nourishment project.

Unofficial results from the Dare County Board of Elections say the measure was defeated by 154 votes.

Although it doesn’t change the result, the $24 million bond proposal passed narrowly in the special oceanfront and oceanside district, 56 to 53. It needed to pass townwide and in the district.

The measure asked voters if they would agree to help pay a share of the proposed $32 million beach-widening project with increased property taxes for five years. Despite an assertive campaign by ProtectNagsHead.org, the public was apparently not convinced of the merits of laying more than four million cubic yards of sand on the town’s ten miles of narrowing shoreline.

Bob Muller, the treasurer of ProtectNagsHead(dot)org, says town officials now have to determine their next step.